Riki Fukuda set to face "Ninja" Rua; DREAM.8 weigh-ins official

Despite having just over a day’s notice, Riki Fukuda (13-4) has accepted a DREAM.8 bout with Murilo “Ninja” Rua (16-9-1).

Rua had been set to face Dong Sik Yoon (4-6) at the weekend event, but the South Korean was forced to withdraw from the event due to an undisclosed injury.

Fukuda, a Japanese product, is a veteran of Deep, Pancrase, Shooto and K-1. The 28-year-old also fought twice for the now-defunct EliteXC organization, most notably in a September 2007 loss to Joey Villasenor.

Fukuda will carry a three-fight win streak into the bout with Rua.

Fukuda, Rua and the 18 other contestants for DREAM.8 have also officially made weight for the event, which is set to take place in Nagoya, Japan.

The event will be held on Sunday night in Japan and will air via tape delay in North America on April 10 on HDNet.

DREAM.8 features the final first-round DREAM featherweight grand prix bout, as well as four first-round DREAM welterweight grand prix contest.

Headlined by a match between Japanese superstars Shinya Aoki (20-3) and Hayato “Mach” Sakurai (34-8-2), an intersting heavyweight clash between Sergei Kharitonov (16-3) and Jeff Monson (28-8) will also be on the card.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.